UCM coach trips from Holy Name, in 1961

Can you identify anyone? Visit the All our Yesterdays Page for more info. Click here

A variety of Christmas Trees were on display at all churches this Christmas

Each was made by a different pastoral group within the parish as a whole. They were very imaginative, creative, and with a touch of humour. The Evergreen trees reminded us of the Enduring love of God for the human family, evoking prayer that we may live in the way that Jesus taught and showed us - so as to bring about the growth of His Kingdom on earth, a Kingdom of Justice, Love and Peace, of Truth and Grace. Some trees were decorated with lights, reminding us of the 'moments of light/grace' that we experience on our spiritual journey.

The Trees were all made bearing in mind the principles of the LiveSimply action in which our parish is engaged: they were made sustainably from renewable resources or from materials discarded as 'rubbish'; and they expressed the solidarity that we have with one another in our Parish Community, in our locality, and with the poor of the world whom we endeavour to help.

The display was erected in St Mary's as it is the only one of our three churches with room for all the trees, but from the weekend of the 4th Sunday of Advent some of them will be transferred to the Churches of Assumption of BVM and the Holy Name of Jesus to give sight of them to parishioners attending over Christmas.

Many thanks to all who prepared a Tree, and to those who braved very wintry weather for the special Mass of Blessing last Saturday evening December 15th.

THANK YOUHorsorth Churches Together would like to thank all the OLK parishioners who took the time to knit the angels which were placed around Horsforth proclaiming "The Good News" and inviting everyone to what turned out to be a very soggy Carols in the Park!

Church Parade was held on Sunday 1st December. Fr Pat invited some of the uniformed groups to help him with his homily. This made a connection between Adventand Adventure. Jesus comes to bring us excitement - to help us come fully alive. If we follow Him we will have the greatest adventure - going beyond what we can imagine. The Mass was followed by a bazaar which was organised by the uniformed groups and raised nearly £600 for the Parish and for the SVP! Many thanks to all concerned.

The first Sri Lankan Holy Mass in Leeds has been celebrated by Rev.Fr.Yovan in Sinhala language on 24th November at St.Mary's Church in Horsforth. Around 100 Sri Lankans from and around Leeds had gathered together to celebrate the Mass. For many Sri Lankans it was the first opportunity they had listened to Sinhala Mass after settling down in the UK. Sri Lankan Catholic community would wanted to thank the Parish Priest and the St Mary's Community for giving this great opportunity.

HN Cub Scouts undertook a tour of St Mary's Church in Horsforth led by Fr Pat where they made a close study of the Altar Table, the Font (with the Easter Candle), the Chapel of St Joseph (with its memorial plaque), the Chapel of Our Lady, Mother of Good Counsel (the original Title of the Church) and the large relief sculpture of the Risen Christ above the Tabernacle.

Fr Pat explained the reasons for the design of these special features and how St Mary's is the oldest (and largest) Church in our Parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall. The cubs were accompanied by several adult helpers who assisted Fr Pat in moving the boys and girls from place to place.

Sylvia Wright with Trust Chairman Tony Allinson at the Luncheon in Holy Name Church Hall to mark her Award of the Diocesan Silver Medal by Fr Pat on behalf of Bishop Marcus during the 11.15 Mass on Sunday July 22nd.

OLK Mass for Young Families June 23

Prayer was the theme at the latest (10th) OLK Mass for Young Families. About 30 families attended - many for the first time. Creative activities with the children led into a simple Mass followed by a picnic tea with food and drinks brought and shared by all who came. Many thanks to our team of skilled catechists drawn from the three church communities of our Parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall.

Holy Name pupils with the cups PTA have donated to the church hall for parish use

Fr Emmanuel in Malawi

They received the Rosaries and Statues of the BVM sent by OLK parishioners.
Some recipients of clothing; and Fr E Giving Rosaries/statues to some members of the Legion of Mary.

Photos of the rural church. Top right shows the old roof. Top Left shows the new roof with help from OLK parishioners.

Fr Emmanuel reading Prayers at the Horsforth Churches Together Walk of Witness on The Green, Horsforth, on Good Friday morning.

The cross enters the green Horsforth

Congratulations to our parishioner Germano Francisco Gomes who was awarded full British Citizenship in a ceremony at Leeds City Town Hall by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire on Thursday last, March 15th.

Germano's parents are still living in Dili East Timor. They suffered the loss of Germano's five older brothers who were killed by the Indonesian military who occupied East Timor from 1975 until 1999. In 1991 Germano aged sixteen had to flee the country for his own safety and lived obscurely for several years in Jakarta, Indonesia. In 1994 he courageously joined other East Timorese living in Java in a dramatic public protest against the oppression of his homeland.

Twenty nine young East Timorese climbed over the security fence into the US Embassy during the stopover in Jakarta of President Bill Clinton for the APEC international conference. After several days in a very precarious condition they were rescued by the International Red Cross and airlifted to Lisbon where they were received as heroes. They were subsequently awarded Portuguese citizenship and offered some social assistance and various educational opportunities.

In 1998 Germano came (as a member of an EU country) to England where he pursued studies in English, IT, and catering - in Croydon, Liverpool and Birmingham where he was accommodated in the presbyteries of a succession of sympathetic Catholic priests. In 2004 he came to live with Fr Pat, first in Rothwell, and from 2006 in Holy Name Parish (as it then was).

In December 2011 he married Theresia, who is also a Catholic, of Indo-Chinese parenthood, in Theresia's home parish church in Jakarta. Since February 2012 they have lived as a couple in Leeds - first of all in a flat adjacent to Hinsley Hall, and more recently in a family house in Holt Park. They now have two children: Belicia (5) and Mikayla (4). They come to the 11.15 Sunday Mass in Holy Name church as a family most weeks, and sometimes to the international Mass at 11.00am at St Anne's Cathedral. Belicia is currently doing well in Reception Class at Holy Name school, and - hopefully - Mikayla will be admitted to the school this September.

May God bless them!

As part of the parish Live Simply campaign Beavers, Cubs and Scouts planted bulbs and made a start on the insect garden, helped by parishoners donating bulbs, pots and giving the chilldren a helping hand.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and simple Benediction for one hour before morning Mass at Holy Name on Mon and Fridays, Assumption on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at St Mary’s on a Saturday.

Above you can see a photograph of the new Sylvia Wright Education and Theraphy Centre which has recently been opened. More information is available on www.sylviawright.org

Fr Pat will be gave a 'Spiritual Appeal' for Sylvia Wright (whose 80th birthday is Sunday 21st Jan) last weekend at all Holy Name Masses and then at the St Mary’s and Assumption Masses the weekend of the 27th/28th. You can download the fact sheethere.

December Church Parade

At Church Parade on the first Sunday in December everyone was urged to Wake Up to the need to Live Simply, Sustainably, and in Solidarity - the pledge we have made as a Parish Community. This is the call made to us by Jesus in the Gospel so that we thrive as individuals and as the human family, exercising responsible stewardship of our planetary home in right relations with all our fellow creatures.
After the Mass the Uniformed Organisations had arranged a Christmas Fayre in the Church Hall to raise funds for the Parish and for the work of the St Vincent de Paul Society.They raised £632.10

Our Lady Of Kirkstall Retreat Day at the Convent of Mercy Yeadon
- 28 October 2017.

Around 22 Parishioners, including Fr Emmanuel, came together for a day of prayer led by Sr Lyndsay RSM.
Our theme was "God's abundance."

After a welcome cuppa, we began with a short prayer, using Psalm 145 - " I will give you glory, O God my King".
We called to mind scripture passages that reminded us of God's Abundance and Love, Time for quiet prayer and Exposition took place during the day. Fr Emmanuel also celebrated Mass in honour of Mary, our mother. He wove the theme into the Mass. For those who wanted to share there was time for an Emmaus Walk. Parishioners chatted over lunch.
Some questions which helped us during the day and may help you are:

What do I consider as abundance in my life and experience?

What might be some of the blessings ( signs of God's abundant love) that I have recognised in my own life or in the life of others.

Are there any experiences that did not seem to be a blessing at the time but which I now understand to be a blessing from God?

How do I express my gratitude for God's abundance in creation and in my own life?

There was a request to have further Retreat Days for the parish, so let's look to 2018!

The Window at the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady is a symbolic depiction of her under the title of 'Our Lady Star of the Sea' - but the 'Sea' is the 'surge of life' as expressed in the Hymn below.

Hail Queen of Heaven, the ocean star!Guide of the wanderer here below!Thrown on life's surge we claim thy care;Save us from peril and from woe.Mother of Christ, Star of the Sea,Pray for the wanderer pray for me.

Other well known hymns invoke the intercession of Our Lady Star of the Sea, such as this verse from 'O purest of creatures':Deep night hath come down on this rough-spoken worldAnd the banners of darkness are boldly unfurled;and the tempest-tossed Church, all her eyes are on thee.They look to thy shining sweet Star of the Sea.

May the new Window evoke such prayers in the hearts of all who look upon it.

When the window has been paid for it will be blessed and a plaque fitted beneath with these - and maybe some additional words to be decided nearer the time.

The Blessing was the first Sunday in November when the year of activities to celebrate the Assumption Church Diamond Jubilee concludes - with prayers for the deceased members of this Community of Faith.

Holy Name Scouts joined over 4,000 other scouts and guides at a weekend camp at Bramham Park and enjoyed the carnival atmosphere.

Pictured (l to r) are Simon Brown, Daniel Greenwood and Joseph O'Sullivan after receiving acknowledgement of a decade of Altar Serving at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus and elsewhere in the Parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall. This included the historic Mass at Kirkstall Abbey in 2011 and on the Parish Feast Day at St Anne's Cathedral in 2016, and at a succession of Confirmations presided over by Bishop Arthur and Bishop Marcus. In words of appreciation to these young men during the preceding Vigil Mass - at which they had reliably assisted since making their First Communion in 2007 - Fr Pat paid tribute to their good example as 'role models' for younger servers, and to the support and encouragement of their families. Well done lads! We are all very proud of you!

Holy Name Scouts spent the weekend (2-4thJune) at Hag Dyke at the top of Whernside the highest of the three Yorkshire peaks.
The children had a great experience, but this could be the last visit as we need more adults to step up and become leaders to keep the troop going. So if you want to enjoy the scouting experience, please think about joining us.

Fr Pat's Jubilee Mass Celebration

A full congregation at St. Mary's on Tues 23rd May, was joined by many priests from the diocese to celebrate Fr Pat's 50 years as a priest. Music was provided by a parish music group and a children's choir from the school. Fr Pat is pictured above celebrating Mass and standing next to a special poster made at the school. (The real Fr Pat is the one on the left). Afterwards the parish had a celebratory drink and food in the school hall. Fr Pat above can be seen cutting his cake.

Vincent Harrison is awarded the Archconfraternity of St. Stephen's Medal of Merit.

Fr Pat presented Vincent with the medal at his Jubilee Mass and thanked him for the many years service as an altar server as well as his service to the church in so many other areas.

Rose McCarthy Yorkshire Woman of the Year

Rose - OLK parishioner (St Mary's) Received the award as Yorkshire Woman of the Year for her work for Refugees and Asylum Seekers on Friday May 12th.

Assumption 60th celebration

Fr Marc Homsey and Fr Peter Kravos were able to join Fr Pat and Fr Phil for a very joyful mass and a celebration glass and piece of cake afterwards, in the newly refurbished Assumption hall.

St Mary's Ladies Group

Adel Ladies joined St Mary's Ladies Group in the School Hall on 11th May. In addition to the lovely social occasion, the opportunity was taken to conduct the Lampedusa Cross liturgy remembering refugees. This was a joint effort by both groups and very moving.

Peter Trust Fundraising made Easy!

Whenever you buy anything online you could be collecting free donations for The Peter Trust. Thanks to the Parishioners who have already signed up, the Peter Trust has now received donations from the retailers they used to make their purchases._

There are over 3,000 shops and sites ready to make a donation,
including Amazon, John Lewis, Aviva, thetrainline and Sainsbury's - it doesn't cost you a penny extra!

2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the
site you want and start shopping.

3. After you've made your purchase, that retailer will make a donation
to the Peter Trust for no extra cost to you whatsoever!

There are no catches or hidden charges and The Peter Trust will be
really grateful for your donations.

Thank you for your support.

St. George's day

Holy Name Scout Group joined with Scouts from the district to celebrate St. George's day at a service in St. Margarets church and parade from the Church through Horsforth Town Street. The service had an unusual depiction of good and evil when characters from the Star Wars films arrived in the church!

Mass for Young Families

About 25 families took part in the preparation for and celebration of the seventh Mass for Young Families of OLK Parish which took place in St Mary's Primary School last Saturday March 25th.
The theme was 'Seeing all the beauty God has given us' and the youngsters were helped to make: 'binoculars' to see things at a distance; large 'rainbow' displays created with many shades of paint; colourful mirrors to see themselves; and flowers from cake cups to give to their mothers (it being Mothering Sunday). There was also a safe 'play corner' for the very little ones, and a 'feely box' for those with courage enough to put their hands in and guess what the hidden items were! At Mass we praised God for all of Creation and especially for the gift of each other.

The next Mass for young families will be Saturday 17th June. If anyone wants more information please contact Amanda (amanda@ourladyofkirkstall.org.uk)

St Mary's Ladies Group conducted a book swap at their monthly meeting on 8th March having brought approximately 70 books on the evening by the 15 members present. The photograph shows only about half the books with some of the members. Any books left over were donated to a local charity shop.

LIVE SIMPLY SUNDAY

Following on the decision of OLK Parish Council to undertake the process of achieving the Cafod 'Live Simply Award' the programme was introduced at all Masses on the First Sunday of Lent (March 4-5th). A Questionnaire was distributed to parishioners present in any of our three churches on those occasions, and via our two Primary Schools. A Group Questionnaire will also be provided to each active Pastoral Group within the Parish community.

At Church Parade the uniformed groups helped Fr Pat to explain the messages behind the Live Simply campaign. Catholic Social Teaching - which derives from the Gospel of Jesus - calls on us all to Live - Simply: i.e. taking from our planet only what is enough for us, and not being greedy which will deprive others of what they need. Sustainably: i.e. in such a way that that there will be resources available for tomorrow, for future generations. In Solidarity: i.e. having concern for the welfare of our fellows - our brothers and sisters in the human family.
The Questionnaires which were distributed and collected by Uniformed section members invited everyone present to indicate ways in which they were already living in these ways and suggesting other actions we could take.
Small baskets containing items illustrating these ways were held aloft by members and later presented in the Offertory Procession to be placed around the altar. They included: toys - to be shared with poor children; clothes, and foodstuffs to be deposited in Clothing and Food Banks; Fair Trade items - including chocolate, coffee, tea and wine - to benefit the actual growers; energy-saving electrical goods; and trainers and a safety helmet to encourage making daily journeys on foot or by bike - thereby saving petrol, and getting fit at the same time!

LENT DAY OF RECOLLECTION

This annual event for OLK Readers/Ministers of the
Eucharist, to which all Parishioners were invited took place on Sat March 4th in Holy Name Church Hall.

The speaker was Father David Williams, CP. Fr David is a member of the Passionist Congregation, with many years of experience as a Retreat Director.

Peter Trust Appeal 2017

At Church Parade on Sunday February 5th Fr Pat made an appeal for support of the Peter Trust projects in East Timor, which are mainly in health and education. The Appeal was more of a 'thank you' from the recipients of the Peter Trust funds and was expressed by the presentation of traditional 'tais’ - beautiful woven artefacts made by village women, most of whom are illiterate and innumerate. The tais are made from locally grown cotton using dyes from local plants.
Some of the tais actually incorporated the words for 'thank you' in one or other of the several languages spoken in East Timor (Timor Leste).
The Altar, Lectern, and Priests' Chair were decorated with these striking artefacts and Fr Pat also wore a special vestment made from tais materials.
Members of each section of the Uniformed Organisations assisted in the Appeal by holding aloft displays of photographs of the many groups of beneficiaries of the Peter Trust projects in Timor Leste.

Dancing the night away for The Peter Trust

An enjoyable evening was spent on Saturday 15th October in aid of The Peter Trust. Foot tapping music from The Togs encouraged many to the dance floor. A Jazz interlude was also performed by the Fr Pat Combo.

The newly completed refurbishment of Assumption Social Centre

Seniors Tea Party

On Sunday 3rd October the St Mary's SVP hosted a tea party with support from Holy Name SVP too. This was for the elders in the parish to replace their normal Christmas celebration in January.
Thirty five guests came altogether three attended from Assumption and six from holy name.
An army of volunteers from St Mary's parish who support the SVP arrived. With lovely home made cakes buns and scones. The sandwiches were made by the SVP ladies ... The tables were set and the food was beautifully presented to all of the guests.
An entertainer was booked and all the old time classics were sung and people joined in too.
All in all everyone had a lovely time. Father Pat visited and supported with calling out the raffle numbers and chatting to people on each table.
Well done everyone who supported this event it was well received and we look forward to the next Joint venture. Judith Holy name SVP secretary

Floored!

Our Lady of Kirkstall pilgrimage to St. Anne's Cathedral 11th June

Views of the pilgrimage

On Saturday June 11th parishioners gathered from the three churches of OLK parish to celebrate the Year of Mercy and avail of the special grace of Pilgrimage by participating at Mass, using the Cathedral Holy Door, and availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Many undertook the Walk from Kirkstall Abbey along the canal tow path to Leeds City Centre and up to St Anne's, while others came by public transport or were brought along by fellow parishioners in their private cars.

A group of our most senior members came in a special minibus singing Pilgrim Songs on their journey. The musicians and singers were drawn from our three churches and gave a wonderful lead to the congregation who joined in the many hymns and all the sung Mass parts with great vigour. Members of the Uniformed Organisations acted as Welcomers, giving out the Orders of Service while others took up the Collection and brought the Gifts to the Altar.

An important feature of the Mass was the enrolment of over 40 Altar Servers in the Archconfraternity of St Stephen. About 500 were present in the Cathedral church, filling the Nave to capacity. In the midst of several rainy days Saturday remained dry throughout the time of the Pilgrimage, which was a great blessing in itself, and the Spirit of the Lord was manifest in the joyful celebration of the Liturgy. Many thanks to all who organised the happy event, and to all who took part in this very special occasion.

Mass for Young Families

Rainbow Cross - Preparing coloured scrolls of Prayers/Promises for father/motherMirrors: Decorating a personal mirror which shows someone God loves!Board Game: Playing out the Story of the Prodigal SonCosy Corner: A place to 'chill out' with mum/dadPaper Pool: Having fun with pretty coloursHand Printing: Making personalised prayer cards.

22 families attended this fourth Mass for Young Families. There were 38
children in all. After the activities everyone took part in a simple Mass at
which older children were readers and led Bidding Prayers and the Rainbow
Cross was presented at the Altar during the Offertory Procession. Everybody
sang familiar songs including the parts of the Mass learned in church.

The Gospel was the one for the Sunday (the Prodigal Son) and in his homily
Fr Pat explained that the test of real love was when we are ready to give
someone a hug of love whether they have been good, or penitent, - or not!
(like the Father did in the parable told by Jesus).
Afterwards a picnic tea was enjoyed with sharing of the various foods
brought by participants.

A happy occasion! Many thanks to all our Catechists and Helpers, and to St
Mary's School community for hosting the event again.
The next two Masses for Young Families are scheduled for Saturday June 25th,
and Saturday October 19th - note the dates in your diaries now!

Download here the Bambisanani trip story - South Africa 2015 by Elliot Mulligan

Day of Recollection for OLK Ministers of the Word and Eucharist.

Sr Margaret Atkins was the guest speaker at this year's special Day for OLK Ministers of the Eucharist and Readers held last Saturday February 20th and hosted by St Mary's church, Horsforth, in the School Assembly Hall. Sister made full use of the sophisticated projection facilities installed in the hall to engage her audience of over 60 Ministers and Readers in her presentation which was on Pope Francis' recent Encyclical Letter 'Laudato Si' - Care for our Common Home'.
In the morning session Sister made direct links from passages of the Encyclical to the exercise of the two Ministries and in the afternoon she provided an excellent summary of its overall teaching.
Sister illustrated the main points she was making with attractive photos taken in the chapel and grounds of Boarbank Hall Pastoral Centre (Allithwaite, Cumbria) - where she lives with other members of her Augustinian Religious Community - of groups visiting the Centre, and of residents from the adjoining Nursing Home participating in Liturgies celebrated during the year.
Sister Margaret was formerly on the teaching staff of Trinity and All Saints College (now Leeds Trinity University College) and felt at home in Horsforth, taking the opportunity to meet up with some former colleagues and friends.
In 1995 she had written a booklet for the CTS on the very same subject and an updated version of this with citations from Laudato Si' has now been reissued under the title Catholics and our Common Home - Caring for the Planet we Share (CTS £2.50). It is the best way of accessing her scholarly but accessible input, and as an introduction to the Encyclical itself. Some copies will be made available shortly in the churches of Our Lady of Kirkstall Parish.
Mass was celebrated in St Mary's church as part of the day and Fr Pat's short Homily can be accessed here.

Sylvia Wright - A wonderful, new project in 2016 - A new Education & Therapy Centre

After long deliberations, a new day centre is to be built for the disabled children in Sylvia’s care. Building will start in January and be completed by September 2016. The ETC, in the grounds of the school, will accommodate 100 children with a range of disabilities including cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and other mental and physical difficulties. It is being designed to provide space, light and colour and a stimulating environment. There will be 9 classrooms (some with sensory, music and art facilities) and also a physiotherapy room. Each classroom will have its own toilet, shower facilities and outside play area. It is hoped that there will also be a small therapy pool. The ETC is being championed by Miss Lee Morgan, an osteopath from San Francisco, who has been raising money in the USA and has been working on its design. Lee has been visiting India for more than a decade to work with local children. Tereza Heckenberger from Munich has also joined the team. She is an expert in methods of rehabilitation and education of disabled children.
Specific UK donations are also supporting the project, topped up by a legacy. Several West Yorkshire Rotary Clubs are planning to fund equipment. It will be a marvellous service to the children and their families in the absence of any other worthwhile provision for their care, development, dignity and happiness. Tony Allinson accompanied Sylvia and Lee Morgan to meet the architect in Bangalore during his visit to India in November.

Tereza Heckenberger & Lee Morgan

A Chequered Parade!

Black and White check patterns helped demonstrate the Theme of Sunday's Church Parade. The message was that life is - has to be - a chequered experience with times of darkness (black) and light (white) but Jesus shares these times with us and we should bring them to him in each Mass we attend so that he can help us in the difficult times and rejoice with us in the delightful ones. In the Gospel he teaches us that the wheat and weeds must grow together: our sufferings and problems must be faced with courage and faith because they are essential for our spiritual growth - to coming fully alive.

The young members were involved in a number of activities involving the check design: a family meal with a chequered table cloth; a game of chess; the final circuit of a Formula One car race to the chequered flag; Balinese boy dancers wearing chequered costumes illustrating a story from the Hindu epic Ramayana - in which monkeys rescue a hero from evil powers; and a display in a Chinese science museum of a youngster seemingly disappearing via a wash basin through check-patterned walls!
The spiritual message was shared with adults via a poem written by a Jewish convert to Catholicism as the dark night of Nazism spread over Europe.
About 50 members of the Parade were involved, assisted by leaders from each section. Well done to all for your participation!

Rainbows Celebrate 25 years at Holy Name

It was 25 years ago that Rainbows started at Holy Name. The anniversary was celebrated at 9.00am Church Parade Mass. Fr Pat presented Helen Oliver with a special rainbow bouquet in thanks for many years of service to the group. After Mass, parishioners joined the girls in the hall to view a special display of pictures from the past 25 years. They were also treated to fantastic cakes and buns, all decorated in true Rainbow style.

The Assumption Grotto was vandalised some years ago and the statue stolen. It has now been repaired.
Fr Boniface’s leaving gift to the church was a small new statue of Our Lady which he hoped could replace the stolen one.
It is now installed behind toughened glass at the grotto. We would like to thank him again and hope and pray his statue will last at least as long as the previous one !

Many thanks to all contributors to the MARY ANNA Trust Fund for the children of Fr Boniface’s late sister. The family are very grateful for your support and send these pictures of the youngsters - looking very cheerful!

Letter to the Diocese of Leeds from Mgr Marcus Stock, Bishop-Elect Click Here

Young artists at Holy Name School

A recent art project by our Year 2 school children (aged only 6 or 7) involved producing a painting in the style of pointillism. What better subject could we choose than our own Holy Name Church which they see each day out of their classroom window.
This was a collaborative piece, every child contributing to create one large painting made up of dots. They used small dowelling sticks to transfer paint to paper and it took a few weeks to finish. The children worked on top of a very simple pencil drawing of the church, gradually adding colour to each different section. They were very interested in the creation of light and shade using colour and how the image became much more ‘real’ when they stepped back to look at it. There was a strong sense of responsibility for everyone to do his or her best for the group – and of shared pride in the end result.
It has been lovely to see the care with which every child has tackled this ambitious project and I hope you’ll agree the results are impressive!

The finished painting is now on display inside the main entrance to school and I imagine that any one of our young artists could tell you which dots they painted!

St Mary's Year 5-6 study project on East Timor

On the last day of the Spring Term pupils from Year 5 and 6 at St Mary's
school met 3 young men from East Timor - Germano, Ignacio and Prudencio. The
boys and girls have been working hard on a special project about this
distant country and finding out why the people there are so poor. Accessing
the internet at school and at home each youngster had produced a work book
full of information about East Timor and its people. In groups they had
contructed typical East Timorese houses. They were delighted to know that
their buildings were very true to life, and that their guests had actually
lived in homes like this before travelling to England in search of work to
provide for their families. During the End of Term Mass which preceded the
class visit the young men received a cheque for £220, funds raised by the
children for projects of The Peter Trust in their homeland.

More information and pictures will be found on the school website.

Photos depict 'Awaiting the Procession bringing the Cheque during the Rite
of Offering at Mass'; Questions being put by pupils in class to their East
Timorese visitors; Models of typical East Timorese houses made by the
children

The young East Timorese men send their thanks to parishioners of Our Lady of Kirkstall and of Our Lady of Unfailing Help for the help they have received.

The men are depicted in Holy Name church and in the living room of one the
houses in which they are now accommodated.
They are being supported by parishioners in various ways as they seek work
to provide for themselves and their dependents in East Timor.
They say: Obrigadu barak - terima kasi atas (Thank you very much - in
Tetun, and Indonesian languages)

Spirituality in our Parish

Assumption Latin American Evening in support of their CAFOD Connect2 El Salvador projects.

Over 70 people came along to a Latin American evening at the Assumption Social Club on Sat 5th October. The CAFOD group had decorated the tables and put South American flags on the walls. They had also prepared a range of S American snacks including empanadas, cheese bread and sweets (with some invaluable help from Julia Palacios). Music was provided by local group Mestisa who soon had people doing a Peruvian folk dance.

Including a raffle, some £800 was raised to support the work of CAFOD in the areas around Puentecitos in the West of El Salvador.

Joe meets Fernando Llort

This is the Artist, with Joe of Assumption church (taken in November in El Salvador).

Blessing of new icon at the Assumption Church.

On Sunday Oct 6th a special ceremony was held within the mass at the Assumption church in order to bless the new icon that the church community had obtained.
The icon is made of 4 ceramic tiles and is by the renowned El Salvadorean artist Fernando Llort (who is known as the “National Artist” of El Salvador). It is titled “Maria Uniendo los Pueblos” – which roughly translates as ‘Mary uniting the Nations”. It contains folkloric elements that are typical of his style.
The Assumption CAFOD group suggested the idea of sourcing something from El Salvador. The idea was fully supported by the Assumption Church Council. It not only links with the CAFOD projects that the church community supports but also acts as a concrete reminder of our link to the church in the world. It also provides a new focus for the Marian dedication of the church. Previously there was a statue of Our Lady in a grotto in the grounds – but this had been stolen.

Graduation for Ajerino do Carmo Vieira at Bradford University.

Fr Pat spent a day at the Graduation for Ajerino do Carmo Vieira at Bradford University.
Fr Pat writes "He arrived from East Timor at my house in Rothwell with a supermarket
plastic carrier bag containing a spare pair of jeans and a couple of T shirts, no money, and only a smattering of English. He lived with me from 2002-2006 at St Mary's Presbytery (Rothwell) during which time he studied English at Park Lane College and stacked shelves in Morrisons at night. He moved here to Holy Name with me and Germano in 2006 and continued in part time work and English studies.
For the last 4 years he has lived in the Catholic Chaplaincy at Bradford University.
He formally graduated with an Honours Degree in Peace & Development Studies.
He has worked very hard and it was an emotional day for both of us!
He hopes to be accepted to do an MA at Bradford in the next academic year and will then return to East Timor to help in the building up of his country".

Ajerino has now arrived back in East Timor and is currently staying with his brother Amorin in the capital city Dili before travelling to his home village of Pereira in the far eastern part of the territory to spend Christmas with his mother (68) and his oldest brother. He has not seen his family since he returned home for the funeral rites of his father in 2005.

Holy Name Celebrate 60 years

Children gather as Fr Pat cuts the special 60th anniversary cake to end a weekend of celebration that culminated with a Mass led by the young people of the parish, which was followed by a picnic and games in and around the church hall. See video here

Friday nights Celebratory Mass saw the return of many of the past parish priests. Pictures of the Mass can be viewed by clicking here

Below is a selection of pictures from the afternoon.Top Left: Gospel class present their drawings for the altar.
Top Right: Children from Holy Name School enact the Gospel.
Children animate Fr Boniface's homily.
School choir and musicians
The offertory procession
Families enjoy the sunshine.

Click here to see a slide show of the young peoples Mass and celebration.

Visitors from Puentecitos at the Assumption

“Words for the Soul”Spiritual Reading Group

This informal and welcoming group meets 5 times a year to discuss inspiring books which explore and strengthen our faith.
All are welcome.

All meetings are held in Holy Name presbytery from 7.30-9pm
Lifts to & from meetings can be arranged.
Group members can be contacted via the parish office.

If you have not been before, it would be helpful if you could let Su Goodyear or Fr Pat Smythe know if you intend to come to a particular meeting and/or wish to be on our contact list. Tel 0113 2678257 or email info@ourladyofkirkstall.org.uk
Reminders will be placed in the parish bulletin and on the OLK website close to the date of each meeting.

We try to choose books that are available second-hand or for less than £10. Some books may be available in Kindle or audio format. It is of course always worth trying libraries!
Happy Reading!

Kate says "Hi from India"

Kate Burton together with Hannah Wilson are currently on gap placements working in Rangammal School for Deaf Children for 3 months. They write: “It has been the most amazing experience of our lives! Bring on the next two months! The children are absolutely wonderful and they approach everything with such enthusiasm (especially if it involves cricket, dance or drawing). It looks like they are big hit with all the children!

To find out more about the work of The Sylvia Wright Trust click here or follow the Our Charities link above.

To find out more about the imagery in the new stained glass windows on the sanctuary of the parish church (Holy Name) click here.

Our Lady of Kirkstall - A prayer for the Parish Formation (click here)

Safeguarding

The masthead is based on this view of the parish......

This watercolour is signed and dated 1800, late in Girtin's career. A ruined abbey is set in a wide valley through which the River Aire meanders. In the background are hills and clumps of trees crowned by a typical English summer sky of moody clouds. In the foreground, a few farmers go about their work. Individual elements often regarded as 'picturesque' are treated with unexpected grandeur and seriousness.
The landscape appears unconfined, with the suggestion of great distances extending both to the sides and to the far horizon. Yet the viewer is drawn to focus on the white stones of the ruined abbey and the river which bends at this point, its water lit, the left bank in shadow. This effect of light and shade (chiaroscuro) is reinforced by the clouds which are dark and light, broken up by the clear blue sky and sunlight.
Thomas Girtin (1775-1802) and J.M.W.Turner, born in the same year, knew each other well. Both artists painted fine watercolours of English cathedrals and antiquities. Between 1793 and 1795 they worked side by side, copying watercolours by John Robert Cozens, learning from his subtleties of mood and technique. Girtin toured England on sketching trips, the tones of his watercolours developing from the cool grey blues of Cozens to his won warm browns and reds. He dies at the early age of twenty-seven, described by his contemporary, Joseph Farington (1747-1821) as 'a genius'.J. Rowlands, Master drawings and watercolou (London, The British Museum Press, 1984)
L. Stainton, British landscape watercolours (London, The British Museum Press, 1985)
D. Hill, Thomas Girtin: genius in the N (Harewood House, Leeds, 1999)

(There is no sign of Cookridge tower on top of the hill! But interestingly it depicts the area of the new parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall rising up from the Aire valley - it hasn't changed a bit!).

The Parish of Our Lady of Kirkstall is part of the Diocese of Leeds. To view our full Privacy Notice click here: